France meets the Pacific Northwest at Thierry Rautureau’s new airport bistro

“We mined their private archives for the historical jackets on the walls, sourced vintage pieces at the entry and throughout the store,” says Melissa Gonzalez, Founder of Lionesque Group. A series of orange shadow boxes displays Alpha’s historic styles including the MA-1 and its predecessor the B-150D flight jacket along one wall. In all, visitors can view more than two dozen vintage items throughout.

“Enjoying a coffee and croissant on rattan chairs, sipping an Aperol spritz at a custom millwork bar, or grabbing a quiche to go at LouLou Market and Bar in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Concourse B, you might feel as if you’re in Paris rather than at an airport — and that’s the whole point,” Emma Hinchliffe of The Daily Journal of Commerce reports, “The bistro, which opened last fall, represents a transformation in dining at the airport. The space is light and bright. Custom toile with images of LouLou the dog — the project’s namesake — adorns walls. Its unique patterned tile flooring and seating evoke the outdoor furniture of European market squares.”

“The big challenge for us was how to include all the programming needs whilst also creating a destination that reflected and lived up to chef’s brand and legacy,” Peter Stocker, principal at MG2 and project design leader, shared. “Having a robust grab-and-go section is really important at an airport, but we also wanted to create a space that encourages you to come in, sit down, eat and relax, just like you would in a French cafe,” Stocker said.